PHOTOS released giving a fascinating insight into Prince William's day job forced the Ministry of Defence to reset the user names and computer passwords yesterday in an embarrassing security blunder.

Ten photographs of the future king at his job as a search and rescue helicopter pilot were published by The Palace on his website before they had been given clearance by the MoD.

The images – intended to show off a ‘day in the life’ of the prince on base – showed that in between flying missions the dashing Duke of Cambridge, or Flight Lieutenant Wales to his pals, has to muck in like all the rest.

However, the royal PR initiative backfired massively when sensitive information was displayed in the background of the images.

In one of the behind-the-scenes pictures, information was visible on computer screens captured in the shots.

The photographs, which included those of the prince sitting at a computer with a sensitive document on his desk, and another of him attending a briefing, had to be replaced and new versions launched with sensitive details pixelated out.

In between flying missions the dashing Duke of Cambridge – or Flight Lieutenant Wales to his pals – has to muck in like all the rest

As a precaution, the MoD has now reset the user names and passwords of some RAF staff on its internal system.

A St James's Palace spokeswoman said four of the photographs, which were supplied by RAF Valley, had to be taken down and replaced on the website.

"Any security issues are a matter for the MoD," she added.

By the time defence officials spotted the mistake – four hours after publication online – the shots had appeared on websites around the world, TV and in newspapers.

In a statement, an MoD spokesman said: "A number of photographs of Flight Lieutenant Wales were taken while on duty working as a helicopter search and rescue pilot at RAF Valley on Anglesey, Wales.

"The passwords and user names shown have now been reset as a precaution and we are satisfied the images do not contravene security regulations.

"All the photos have been now amended and reissued. Media organisations are kindly asked to use these images".

William is part of a four-man team at RAF Valley on Anglesey, north Wales, who is shown in the images grabbing time to relax while working gruelling 24-hour shifts.

Despite being a future King, William takes his flying responsibilities seriously and is keen to be seen as no different from any other pilot.

His day starts with a briefing about weather conditions.

The crew then carry out a series of training drills to ensure they are at the peak of mental and physical shape.

The search and rescue force respond to almost 2,000 emergencies a year. William’s skill and knowledge are vital as RAF Valley covers an area notorious for stranded and injured hikers.

Each of the close-knit crew – which includes two pilots, a winchman and winch operator – know that a “shout” could come at any time, requiring them to be airborne within minutes.

One picture showed William in his green fatigues meticulously checking his aircraft, a Sea King Mark 3.

While his wife Kate and their puppy Lupo live in the couple’s rented farmhouse nearby, Flight Lt Wales has to make do with a draughty single bed when on duty.

Rest and relaxation are an important part of the day-long shift and computer-mad William is known to be a fan of war game Call of Duty.

His official website said: “Computer games – especially the likes of Call of Duty and other military-themed games – are a favourite of the crew if they have a spare moment in the evenings.”

Yesterday the Daily Express reported how the hard-working Duke of Cambridge is the public’s best-loved royal with an approval rating of 62 per cent.